Eddie Playfair

Woman looking through a microscope, Cliff Rowe (1966) and Woman examining a sample, Maurice Broomfield (1968).

A great presentation yesterday from Andy Friend about his brilliant history of the Artists International - group of anti-fascist artists 1933-43.
Even today when art is so commodified, it can still find political purpose.
#MarxMemorialLibrary

Rewire our economies for people and planet For too long, the rules of the global economy have been written by and for the few elites, billionaires and multinationals. Our leaders have measured success through GDP growth. But GDP is nothing mor...

For an equitable transition to a green economy and a guarantee of economic security for all...
For a shift in power and wealth to people and communities through democratic social ownership...
support the Reclaim our Economies for People and Planet petition: actionnetwork.org/petitions/re...

'Earth and other planets' last night was a phenomenal experience, going way beyond 'fusion'or 'reimagining'. 'Mars' is powerful anti-war music and all yesterday's performances were stunning. Thank you @willharmonicas.bsky.social #DeliaStevens, #RobertMacfarlane #BrittenPhilharmonia & #MiltonCourt

Whenever I see the circular neon lights in the prow of Commonwealth house at the top of New Oxford street I think of this Maurice Broomfield photo.

It is Labour’s party machine that is out of touch | Letters Letters: Readers respond to Chris Powell’s article about how to tackle the threat of rightwing populism

Treating 'populism' as the main threat is not a political response. Taking on the far-right requires a programme which offers an alternative to growing inequality, economic exclusion, division, xenophobia and racism. My letter in today's @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

The Makropulos Case Find out about The Makropulos Case at the Royal Opera House. Acclaimed director Katie Mitchell stages a new production of Janáček’s haunting and enigmatic opera The Makropulos Case.

My first Janaček opera and what an experience. A truly thrilling combination of big issues, emotional charge and gorgeous music - and such a fresh, lively production. More Janaček please!
://www.rbo.org.uk/tickets-and-events/the-makropulos-case-katie-mitchell-details

In New York, Zohran Mamdani showed how it’s done: ‘identity politics’ can win elections | Nesrine Malik New York’s newly elected mayor rooted his campaign in the personal while, ironically, exemplifying the tradition of the American ‘melting pot’, says Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik

On seeing the margins as spaces in which a majority can be mobilised.
Brilliant piece from @nesrinemalik.bsky.social on Zohran Mamdani's campaign.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

A real joy to see my piece 'For a really useful education' in the latest issue of Forum.
journals.lwbooks.co.uk/vol-67-issue...

The story of war is one of kidnapping, slavery and rape. And what we talk about is strategy and territory | Zoe Williams From the Boer war to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Imperial War Museum’s new exhibition reminds us what really happens once the bullets begin to fly, writes Guardian columnist Zoe Williams

An important and timely reminder from Zoe Williams in today's @theguardian.com that war is always "a portal from civilization to cruelty".
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Does class inequality still matter? Yes it does - more than ever!
At @lseinequalities.bsky.social this evening with @faizashaheen.bsky.social @zarahsultana.bsky.social @mikesavagelse.bsky.social @claremacg.bsky.social & Aditya Chakraborty

graphic reads "Think Further blog series. Holocaust Memorial Day."

Our new #ThinkFurther blog by @eddieplayfair.bsky.social, Senior Policy Manager at AoC, highlights the importance of teaching about the Holocaust and other genocides to help students understand history and combat discrimination.

Read here:
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

Graphic reads "International Holocaust Remembrance Day."

"Teaching about past atrocities can help encourage students to challenge hatred, racism and discrimination in the here and now," says Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at AoC, in our new blog on #InternationalHolocaustRemembranceDay.

Read more:
www.aoc.co.uk/news-campaig...

A brilliant 'Vulture Capitalism' talk with @graceblakeley.bsky.social at @lseinequalities.bsky.social this evening. The Lucas Plan, workers' control and popular planning movements continue to inspire us to imagine a different economy organised around meeting social need rather capital accumulation.

Let's celebrate the record number of post-16 students achieving grade 4+ in GCSE English and/or maths in November. These are mostly college-based ‘retake’ students who hadn't achieved grade 4 in Year 11.
See our AoC briefing on the November results: bit.ly/4jd2B6m

Jeremy Seabrook obituary Social and political commentator whose work focused on the environment and the marginalisation of poor people

“Why is it that the rich must become immeasurably more rich before the poor can become even fractionally less poor?” We will miss Jeremy Seabrook's championing of greater equality. www.theguardian.com/books/2024/d...

Ep.29:A conversation on Post-16 Maths with Eddie Playfair The Right Angle · Episode

I discussed maths qualification reform in this 'Right Angle' podcast:
“We need a modular and progressive model with plenty of steps to give students credit for what they can do, so they experience success and build on it. That’s more motivating and would build students’ confidence”
bit.ly/4iiBFSk

Our @AoC_info draft response to the Curriculum & Assessment Review has just gone live. We hope it will prompt discussion and that colleges will respond in large numbers. This is a great opportunity to help shape the system and benefit our students.
d4hfzltwt4wv7.cloudfront.net/uploads/file...

YouTube video by FE News - The #FutureofEducation News Channel Eddie Playfair, Senior Policy Manager at AoC discusses bridging Policy and Pedagogy

Some reflections on skills, knowledge, policy, pedagogy and the role of colleges in supporting the government's missions. I think I managed to cover a lot in five minutes! youtu.be/aDhe8vltnUg

Photo of 5 people seated on stage in a large conference hall discussing FE topics witha FE Collective Local Q&A banner behind them.

Hugely important message from @eddieplayfair.bsky.social
at the #ETF / #FENews #FESkillsCollective 'Bridging Policy and Pedagogy' conference:
#Skills are not 'delivered' but developed in a social context - we need a social cohesion, #socialpurpose-led skills strategy #loveFE #AmplifyFE #UKED #UKFE

Harnessing the power of post-compulsory education A new government is a moment of possibility. It provides an opportunity to turn the tide on years of austerity and the so-called 'reforms' of public services that have served only to cut costs and mak...

Adult, Further and Higher education can change lives, build democracy and transform communities.
I was delighted to contribute to
'Harnessing the power of post-compulsory education' co-written with Howard Stevenson & John Holford and published this week by @ucu.org.uk
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1373...

Art which "erupts from outrage at the fact that the search for financial profit rules every nook and cranny of our society."
Fantastic Peter Kennard exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery - so many classics!
And the vision of a People's University of East London is one we need more than ever.

Thanks Barbara. I'll be working on our submission and there are 2 excellent college principals on the panel so plenty of opportunity to contribute. I hope you'll be writing on this too - the case for an inclusive, joyful, expansive English curriculum needs to be made and you do that brilliantly!

Yes, I was at the launch this week and have yet to read it properly but clearly some good headline recommendations for 11-16 which might support whats needed 16+.
I'll be working on our AoC response to the Curriculum & Assessment Review call for evidence

What is common knowledge in my field, but shocks outsiders?

There are more 16-18 year olds in colleges than in school sixth forms.

Thanks for the welcome Elizabeth. It's good to see that there's already an active FE community and so many friends already here. Being an early adopter is an unusual experience for me and I will start posting soon. All signposts to useful new connections very welcome!